Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
02-21-2011, 05:40 PM
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Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
This was a swap meet find , that the owner did not want to rebuild.
A good friend purchased it and while working on another project , i took on this.
so these are the first pictures as it is....
after this i began to remove all equipment and accessories....
since i don't have any construction projects at the moment it should progress quickly....
A good friend purchased it and while working on another project , i took on this.
so these are the first pictures as it is....
after this i began to remove all equipment and accessories....
since i don't have any construction projects at the moment it should progress quickly....
02-21-2011, 09:59 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
that looks like a nice plane. im glad to see another old bird will be saved. i wish i could get my hands on a older bird like this. i love these types of threads!
cant wait to see more progress
cant wait to see more progress
02-22-2011, 08:02 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
i would like to thank tenacious101010 , he was selling a byron at-6 and allowed me to make patterns of the formers that i will need.
this will make it a lot easier....
this will make it a lot easier....
02-24-2011, 06:31 AM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
Looking good! I saw that cowl when it looked like road kill. Cant wait to see what you are able to do with the rest of the plane. Keep the pictures coming please.
Denny
Denny
02-24-2011, 09:10 AM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
bad news, went out this morning and the resin did't set up....#$@$^^%!
put it in the sun and will check later... could be the resin or hardner....
this is going to be fun cleaning it up to do again....aughr......
put it in the sun and will check later... could be the resin or hardner....
this is going to be fun cleaning it up to do again....aughr......
02-24-2011, 06:51 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
well it looks like the resin may set up.. just may have to give it some time...or i may still be in denial..
but i cut the two front formers to help re assemble the front .
and it is starting to look better....
and times like this i am glad for people that don't know how to prep fiberglass to glass in formers, as the old ones came out pretty easy..MINEWONT....
but i cut the two front formers to help re assemble the front .
and it is starting to look better....
and times like this i am glad for people that don't know how to prep fiberglass to glass in formers, as the old ones came out pretty easy..MINEWONT....
02-24-2011, 07:43 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
good to see some progress pictures! you have to get a good mix of that resin and hardner.. if it is still "wet " or hasnt set, you probably didnt use enough hardner.
you can never use too much hardner , the more you use, the faster it dries.
good luck
you can never use too much hardner , the more you use, the faster it dries.
good luck
02-25-2011, 06:10 AM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
So true, the more hardner you add the faster it cures, and oh yeah I have added too much and seen smoke rising from the project from using wayyyy too much hardner. I was quite surprised at how hot it got. But like you, Donahue, I usually err on the side of too much versus not enough. I have had some gooey messes from not using enough hardner. Using old resin can cause the same results. The humidity has a big impact too, it is a real problem here in Florida. I have had fiberglass turn milky looking and never did harden. That looks great, you are making good progress on the fuselage. Looks like you will be ready for an engine very soon. You seem to be the Docter Frankenstien of RC airplanes... ItS ALIVE!!! ITS ALIVE!!! That reminds me, I havent seen "Young Frankenstien" in a while.
Great job, Denny
Great job, Denny
02-26-2011, 02:16 AM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
Hey Guys
One friendly advice. Never change the mix volume of hardener and resin. If you want a faster cure then use the factory volume and if its cold then heat the mix with a heat gun or hair dryer. If you put more hardener then your final product will be less flexible and will have shorter life (because all the resins have a life cycle). You may also use microballoons.
Nice thread, which shows good building skils for Tampaflyer
Keep up the good work
J.R.
One friendly advice. Never change the mix volume of hardener and resin. If you want a faster cure then use the factory volume and if its cold then heat the mix with a heat gun or hair dryer. If you put more hardener then your final product will be less flexible and will have shorter life (because all the resins have a life cycle). You may also use microballoons.
Nice thread, which shows good building skils for Tampaflyer
Keep up the good work
J.R.
02-27-2011, 02:30 AM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
ORIGINAL: Tampaflyer
the real question... what will have a longer life span?
the RCAIRPLANEor the FIBERGLASS.....
the real question... what will have a longer life span?
the RCAIRPLANEor the FIBERGLASS.....
Both!Fiberglass fails under stress , plane goes down. short life span!
02-27-2011, 10:05 AM
#16
RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
ORIGINAL: Tampaflyer
i would like to thank http://<b><font color=''#00265e'' si...010</font></b> , he was selling a byron at-6 and allowed me to make patterns of the formers that i will need.
this will make it a lot easier....
i would like to thank http://<b><font color=''#00265e'' si...010</font></b> , he was selling a byron at-6 and allowed me to make patterns of the formers that i will need.
this will make it a lot easier....
Thanks DP3
02-27-2011, 03:10 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
as the sides were curing , i repaired the gear mounts by adding some 1/4 ply extra supports and carbon fiber and glassing in the primary mounts.
02-27-2011, 03:17 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
then finally the firewall was glassed in and , that was enough for the day....
you can also see i worked on the cowl during some of the curing times , or as a break.
there will be some filler , but it is strong and its just getting the looks back...
so sanding in the future , fill ,sand....
you can also see i worked on the cowl during some of the curing times , or as a break.
there will be some filler , but it is strong and its just getting the looks back...
so sanding in the future , fill ,sand....
03-02-2011, 05:06 PM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
no pictures today,
just sanded the cowl, glassed the area between the gear weels( it was misssing), and glassed over switch and filler holes that were in the fuselage.
will bolt the motor back on the mount and have repaired the broken throttle lever bellcranks.
will be sanding down somr of the glass tomarrow and then putting filler to level thing back out.
just sanded the cowl, glassed the area between the gear weels( it was misssing), and glassed over switch and filler holes that were in the fuselage.
will bolt the motor back on the mount and have repaired the broken throttle lever bellcranks.
will be sanding down somr of the glass tomarrow and then putting filler to level thing back out.
03-03-2011, 01:55 AM
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RE: Byron AT-6 Texan rebuild
always good to know progress is being made on this old bird.i saw a byron pitts biplane on ebaysuper cheap, but i lost internet connection and couldnt find it again.
it looked like a good restoration / rebuild project too.
keep up the good work man, its worth it!
it looked like a good restoration / rebuild project too.
keep up the good work man, its worth it!